Family of 5-year-old who drowned at summer camp sets up scholarship in his name

COWETA COUNTY, Ga. — The family of a 5-year-old boy who drowned at a South Fulton County day camp is using their loss to help other children.

Benjamin Hosch drowned last July while attending Camp Cricket at Cochran Mill Nature Center. The boy, who his family called by his nickname, "Kamau," would have attended The Heritage School in Newnan.

On Tuesday, his parents announced the “Benjamin 'Kamau' Ade Hosch III Opportunity Grant” in partnership with the school.

The grant will provide tuition assistance to a child in need.

Channel 2's Audrey Washington was in Coweta County, where Kamau's mother, Ayisat Idris Hosch, says she hopes the grant will keep the her son's dream alive for another child.

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“It was important because of the type of child Kamau was, always giving, always trying to help and to keep his legacy and name going so people will always know the type of person he was,” she said.

Kamau's father, Benjamin Hosch Sr., said he hopes a deserving child will get the award.

“The kid has to be really exceptional, intelligent, gifted and demonstrate a financial need,” he said.

The boy's death rocked the small community in Coweta. After the accident, the state found that the camp was not licensed to operate and ordered it closed down.

This past spring, a grand jury indicted the camp director and the camp owner in the boy's drowning.

The family's lawyer is working to bring a civil case in the boy's death. But Ayisat and Benjamin Sr., who just had a baby boy two months ago, are focusing on holding on to their son's memory and how they can help others.

"We can do great things in his honor," Benjamin Sr. said.

"These are opportunities we weren’t able to give to our son, but now we can give it to other children in our son’s name," Ayisat said.

You can contribute to the fund HERE.

Cox Media Group